Kia Optima Hybrid Pricing Revealed

The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid will carry a starting price of $26,500, according to Kia Motors America. Set to go on sale June 5, this marks the Korean automakers first hybrid vehicle in the U.S. market. It also signals another prong in the formidable Optima lineup, which recently recorded a 124 percent monthly sales boost over April 2010. Restyled and reengineered, the 2011 Optima range includes 4-cylinder gasoline engines in 200-bhp and 274-bhp (turbocharged) format.

The Optima Hybrid comes with a direct-injected Atkinson cycle 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, coupled to a 40-bhp electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. Total output is 206-bhp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The Optima Hybrid can be driven in zero emission, full-electric drive mode at speeds up to 62 mph, or a mix of gas-electric mode at any speed. When the car comes to a stop, the engine shuts off to eliminate fuel consumption while idling. The Optima Hybrid delivers 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 miles per gallon on the highway.

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